Journal Jog inspires teamwork among businesses

LORAIN — The Journal Jog may be one of the best examples of teamwork in Lorain.
The fifth annual 5-K road race is at 9 a.m. Aug. 3, with registration at Black River Landing in Lorain.
The event, with Ritenauer’s Run, is named for The Morning Journal and Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer. The event raises money for the Mary Lee Tucker Clothe-A-Child program, Newspapers In Education and Ritenauer’s annual scholarship funds that so far have distributed $15,500 to area students.
The event has a list of supporters that reads like a who’s who of greater Lorain’s local businesses.
The newest platinum sponsor is Republic Services waste hauler and recycling company. Republic Services joins Lorain National Bank, Mercy Regional Medical Center and United States Steel among the leading sponsors of the race.
Republic Services’ leaders reviewed information supplied by Ritenauer and saw how it helps Lorain-area students, said Dave Kidder, municipal services manager for the company.
“It just seemed like a very worthwhile benefit to get involved in,” Kidder said.
“Throughout the county, we’re involved in many, many different fundraiser events and programs in Lorain County and have been for years.”
The company has sponsored youth baseball teams and Elyria’s city Reach and Rise Discovery Camps.
Participating youths have visited Republic Services’ landfill and recycling center, Kidder said.
Republic Services has up to 400 workers in Lorain County and most of them also live in the county, he said.
“We have a lot of employees that live in the city of Lorain,” Kidder said. “The summertime provides a much better opportunity to get involved in these types of programs knowing that many of our employees are probably going to these events.”
Lorain County General Manager David Vossmer is a longtime Republic Services employee but relatively new to Lorain County.
“(Vossmer) has a keen interest in getting involved in various city festivities, program, educational programs, parades, whatever that may be,” Kidder said.
As of July 11, additional financial sponsors or donors of goods and services included:
• VFW Post 451 of Lorain
• VFW Post 8686 of Sheffield Lake
• AutoNation of Amherst
• Lorain County Metro Parks
• Lorain Police Auxiliary
• Lorain Port Authority
• Lake Screen Printing
• XC Greater Cleveland
• Fligner’s Market
• Kiedrowski’s Bakery
• Vermilion Farm Market
• Lorain Palace Theatre
• Burger King
• WOBL - Kool Kat Oldies
• LifeCare Ambulance
• First Federal Savings of Lorain
• DeLuca’s Place in the Park
• Campana Development
• CT Consultants
• 1-888-OhioComp
• Arcadis
• CenturyLink
• Lorain Armature & Motor Repair
• Republic Services
• Sylvester Truck & Tire
• VASU Communication